exploit

¹

[ ek-sploit, ik-sploit ]

noun

1. a striking or notable deed; feat; spirited or heroic act:

   the exploits of Alexander the Great.

   Synonyms: accomplishment

exploit

²

[ verb ik-sploit; noun eks-ploit, ik-sploit ]

verb (used with object)

1. to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical account:

   to exploit a business opportunity.

2. to use selfishly for one's own ends:

   employers who exploit their workers.

3. to advance or further through exploitation; promote:

   He exploited his new movie through a series of guest appearances.

noun

, Digital Technology.

1. 1. a flaw in hardware or software that is vulnerable to hacking or other cyberattacks.
   2. a piece of software that takes advantage of such a flaw to compromise a computer system or network.
2. (in a video game) the use of a bug or flaw in game design to a player’s advantage or to the disadvantage of other players.

exploit

noun

1. a notable deed or feat, esp one that is noble or heroic

verb

1. to take advantage of (a person, situation, etc), esp unethically or unjustly for one's own ends
2. to make the best use of

   to exploit natural resources

Derived Forms

• exˈploitive, adjective
• exˈploitable, adjective
• ˌexploiˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• ex·ploit·a·ble adjective
• ex·ploit·a·bil·i·ty [ik-sploi-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• ex·ploit·a·tive ex·ploit·a·to·ry [ik-, sploi, -t, uh, -tawr-ee], ex·ploit·ive adjective
• ex·ploit·er noun
• non·ex·ploit·a·ble adjective
• non·ex·ploit·a·tive adjective
• non·ex·ploi·tive adjective
• un·ex·ploit·a·ble adjective
• un·ex·ploit·a·tive adjective
• un·ex·ploit·ive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exploit¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English exploit, espleit, from Old French exploit, Anglo-French espleit, from Latin explicitum, neuter of explicitus “unfolded, set forth,” variant past participle of explicāre “to unfold, unroll, smooth, reveal”; explicate

Origin of exploit²

First recorded in 1300–50; from French exploiter, derivative of exploit (noun); replacing late Middle English expleiten “to achieve,” from Anglo-French, Middle French espleiter, espleitier, derivative of espleit, esploit, expleit, exploit (noun), from Latin explicitum “matter settled, displayed,” noun use of explicitus “unfolded, revealed,” variant past participle of explicāre; exploit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of exploit¹

C14: from Old French: accomplishment, from Latin explicitum (something) unfolded, from explicāre to explicate

Synonym Study

See achievement.

Example Sentences

We did not go through with the deal, but it appeared to illustrate how easily the hawala banking system is being exploited by smugglers.

From BBC

"Because we had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor," said the Oklahoman last October, accusing Gaetz of bragging about his sexual exploits.

From BBC

Many are concerned that freeholders or their managing agents are exploiting the current system and imposing unreasonable costs.

From BBC

Because the integrated stress response is a key regulator of the fate of cells, managing the balance between cell death and survival, it is often exploited by cancer cells to promote their proliferation.

From Science Daily

The one thing that is not arbitrary about the choice of an enemy is that it must exploit vulnerabilities.

From Salon

Related Words

• abuse
• apply
• capitalize on
• employ
• handle
• manipulate
• mine
• profit from
• use
• utilize